Is A Glass Rod Really Worth It For Cranking?

[Smokinal]

 He just whips it out there.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

 

[plumworm]

Garret, If your looking at St.Croix, take a look at the 7' premier crankinbait rod. I had one for a few years and love it. About $140. Good luck.

[Jrob78]

For deep diving lures the Lamiglas SR705R is THE BOMB!

 

Otherwise, for most cranking I'm using graphite:  http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html

The 705 is great but the 765 is THE BOMB!!

 

I use a custom built on the Lamiglas blank used in the 765.  It isn't too heavy, has plenty of sensitivity and flexes beautifully for big baits with a lot of drag.  That extra 6" really allows you to bomb casts.  I don't use it for shallow baits but it is perfect for deep baits.

[livetofish28]

Thanks everyone! I've been looking at st croix mojo bass glass rods, st croix rage rods, and duckett cranking rods. I wish I could just test them all out then make my choice.

I have a mojo bass cranking stick in 7'8 mh m and really like it I've never had a real problem losing fish on it

Tight lines

Andrew

[masterbass]

  I used to use a carbonlite medium with moderate action.  I lost too many fish with it.  Then I got a mojo bass glass and never looked back.  Surprisingly sensitive and keeps them hooked. 

[Garret88]

What about a brand like Dobyns? They offer a rods like the 705CB and 705CB glass. Does the softer glass offer any more advantage? Both rods have the  parabolic bend of a crankbait rod.

[Oregon Native]

Have used the Lamiglas crankin rods in Glass and they're awesome.

Tight Lines

[MarkH024]

I have a Mojo 7'4 S-glass for mid to deep diving cranks and I just got the 705cb Glass rod during winter.  I prefer glass rods for the forgiveness especially if you have a tendency to set the hook like Hulk.  Being that I fish a lot of slop and weedy lakes, I'm always driving the hook pretty hard so the glass rods have helped compensate there for my mistake habits.  For me, they've kept a lot of fish buttoned up where as if I was using a graphite stick I may have lost some. I like the whippy action for launching baits too.

 

I haven't used the Dobyns yet, but it is certainly one of the lightest glass rods I've ever picked up and it just feels good in my hands.  I think it really boils down to preference and how you fish so it may require trying both out at some point. 

[Fishes in trees]

A short answer to the question is that, in my opinion, fiberglass crank bait rods are more trouble than they are worth.  The Lamiglass rod other guys are touting this thread, aren't sold here in the KC Metro area.   So I can't speak to how good a rod that is.  However, every glass rod I'v ever touched and/or fished with were pretty heavy compared to a similar length graphite rod.  I know I've got a couple of them and they are gathering dust in my shop, in the pile of retired rods.

[AQUA VELVA]

I've been using a pair of 7', M,  BPS Crankin' Sticks for a couple of years now for SB's and CB's and have no complaints. They seem to be well made and deliver as advertised.

[flippin and pitchin]

Picking out any rod is subject to the tastes, demands and expectations of the angler and no other technique specific rod is more subjective than a cranking rod. I do not want to come across as some expert on the subject, i'm not.  I will offer this, after fishing bass for 40 plus years and having the opportunity to fish about 400 models of rods and build my own, I found what I want in a rod and that includes a crankbait rod and why.

 

The one primary characteristic that is critical is a moderate action. The exception might be a squarebill rod.  Some people refer to it as parabolic.  You can achieve this action by employing several different materials or combinations of materials.  You can go glass, like the mentioned Lamiglas and St Croix, composite like the Quantum or Dobyns "glass" and or go with an all graphite model with a moderate or parabolic design.

 

Iv'e fished Lamiglas, Loomis, Fenwick, Quantum, BPS, Dobyns, St Croix, Pinnacle and a host of others and found some models that perform the way I want.  Here is where it gets complicated but very simple.  The material in glass is SLOWER to react than graphite materials. You can have a 7 foot moderate action rod with the same bend and flex in glass that a graphite blank may have.  The glass is slower to react or reflex than the graphite comparable.  I know this this because I fish both.

 

When you decide what reflex you want, it will streamline your search significantly. If you want moderate actions, that's easy, there's a bunch of offerings. If you want moderate and a quicker reflex or reaction, then look at all graphite.  If you want the slower reflex then glass is your material and composites can provide the best of both characteristics for you. I have four rods designated for cranking in three different materials and two different lengths. Fishing rods are frustrating.  Just when you think you are dialed in, something new makes you question what your are using now. Ask yourself the right questions, you will make the better choice. Once I understood this, selection was pretty easy and I think I am a more effective crankbait angler than I used to be as a result.

 

If things continue to improve at home, I just might get to use my rods this year.

 

Doug

[Fish Murderer 71]

I use the Skeet Reese Cranking Rod, and I have to admit that I'm glad I got it...  It may not be the "Top of the Line" rod, but I haven't lost a fish on it yet...  My opinion is...  It's a must have set up in the rod box.